Bill makes fleeing police a felony

ATLANTA - Leading police on a high-speed chase would be a felony under a bill introduced Tuesday in the Georgia House.

The measure was prompted by the December death of Georgia State Patrol Trooper Tony Lumley, who died when he ran off the road during a high-speed chase in Spalding County.

Currently it is only a misdemeanor to refuse to stop a vehicle for a police officer. The bill would make it a felony, punishable by five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, when drivers refuse to stop for police and then drive more than 20 mph over the speed limit.

''If someone's gonna flee from police, they're gonna flee whether it's a misdemeanor or a felony,'' said Rep. Tom Buck, D-Columbus, who sponsored the bill. ''But it ought to be a felony."